When Should You Consider Shoulder Arthroscopy for Pain and Mobility Issues?

Introduction

Few things are as intrusive and painful as shoulder pain and limited mobility. It hampers everything from lifting a bag of groceries to knocking a ball over the fence. An increasingly popular and effective option to examine and fix the problem is shoulder arthroscopy. How do you know it’s the right time to consider this surgical method? And what are the advantages of choosing a minimally invasive procedure like shoulder arthroscopy? In this blog, we will understand all about shoulder arthroscopy.

Understanding Shoulder Arthroscopy

Shoulder arthroscopy treatment is a minimally invasive surgical procedure in which an orthopedic surgeon uses an arthroscope (a thin tube with an attached camera) to see the inside of a shoulder joint on a screen. The surgeon makes small incisions in the area to insert the laparoscope and other instruments. Shoulder arthroscopy is used to diagnose and treat shoulder problems. It serves both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. It helps the surgeon identify issues within the shoulder and enables them to perform various surgical procedures to address these problems. The most common conditions treated using shoulder arthroscopy are impingement, rotator cuff tears, and labral tears. Compared with traditional open surgery, arthroscopy provides patients with a quicker recovery and less post-surgical pain.

When is Shoulder Arthroscopy Considered?

It is advised to have a shoulder arthroscopy for both therapeutic and diagnostic reasons. Here are some situations in which surgeons could recommend it:

• Rotator Cuff Tears: Arthroscopy can be used to repair the tendons in the shoulder, which are frequently poorly torn or destroyed.
• Impingement Syndrome: Arthroscopy can be recommended to remove obstructions such as bone spurs and alleviate shoulder impingement, reducing pain and improving function.
• Labral Tears: Shoulder instability results from tears within the labrum, the cuff of thick cartilage that circles the shoulder socket. Arthroscopy is commonly used in treating shoulder instability.
• Adhesive Capsulitis: Physical therapy isn’t enough to ease a frozen shoulder. Arthroscopy, therefore, is often used to liberate rigid areas of the joint capsule.
• Bone Spurs: Shoulder arthroscopy can benefits in removing bone spurs and reshaping the bone, potentially alleviating pain and improving joint function.
• Shoulder Instability: The shoulder frequently dislocates or feels loose when the capsule in the abdomen requires tightening, an act that can be done by utilizing the arthroscope.
• Arthritis: Arthroscopy, utilized in early stages, may eliminate bone spurs or damaged tissue.
• Calcific Tendonitis: The majority of times, calcium accumulates within the joint which can subsequently be dislodged or wiped away by arthroscopy.
• Diagnostic Purposes: If X-rays or MRIs do not conclusively diagnose the problem areas within the shoulder, there is arthroscopy, which allows healthcare professionals to get a close-up, detailed view.

Before recommending arthroscopy, doctors usually want to see if you have tried conservative treatment such as physical therapy, medications, and injections. Some conditions require surgery, and if the problem can be seen, arthroscopy may be indicated. It is less invasive than traditional open surgery, and patients tend to have less discomfort and quicker recoveries after it is performed. Nonetheless, the decision of when to do shoulder arthroscopy is an individual one. There are many factors to consider, including your condition, age, activity level, and general health. If you wish to consider arthroscopy, an orthopedic surgeon can help you weigh the pros and cons for you and your condition.

Shoulder Arthroscopy – Procedure

Here are the typical steps involved in shoulder arthroscopy, from before the surgery to after:

Before the surgery:

• Physical exam and medical history review: Your doctor will evaluate your condition and medical history to determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure.
• Imaging tests: Your doctor may order X-rays, MRI, or other imaging tests to help diagnose your condition and plan the surgery.
• Anesthesia: You will typically receive anesthesia to ensure that you are comfortable and pain-free during the procedure.
• NPO instructions: You may be instructed not to eat or drink anything for a certain period before the surgery.

During the surgery:

• Incision: The surgeon will make one or more small incisions in the skin around the shoulder joint.
• Arthroscope insertion: The surgeon will insert an arthroscope, a small camera, into the incision to view the inside of the joint.
• Surgical instruments: The surgeon will use specialized surgical instruments to repair or remove damaged tissue, bone spurs, or other abnormalities.
• Closure: Once the surgery is complete, the incisions will be closed with stitches or surgical tape.

After the surgery:

• Recovery room: After the surgery, you will be taken to a recovery room where medical staff will monitor you until you are fully awake and stable.
• Pain management: You may be given pain medication to manage any discomfort.
• Rehabilitation: You will work with a physical therapist to perform exercises and stretches to help regain strength, range of motion, and function in the shoulder.
• Follow-up appointments: You will need to attend follow-up appointments with your surgeon to monitor your progress and ensure that you are healing properly.

The specific steps involved in shoulder arthroscopy can vary depending on the individual case and the extent of the procedure, and your shoulder arthoscopy surgeon in Bangalore will provide you with specific instructions and guidelines to follow before and after the surgery.

What are the Benefits and Risks of Shoulder Arthroscopy?

While shoulder arthroscopy has several advantages over open surgery, it is not without risk, much like any surgical procedure.

Benefits:

• Minimally Invasive: Arthroscopy uses much smaller incisions than traditional surgery. Therefore, the damage to the tissues is significantly less.
• Reduced Pain: As the procedure is significantly non-invasive, post-operative pain is considerably less.
• Quicker Recovery: Most patients heal faster and return to activities more quickly.
• Decreased Hospital Stay: Most arthroscopic surgeries are outpatient procedures, and the patient will be able to go home a few hours after the surgery.
• Less Scarring: Minimum damage to the tissues usually results in less scarring.
• Precision: A camera allows the doctor to visualize the inside of the shoulder much more accessible than an open shoulder surgery. This ease of operation leads to greater precision during the surgery.

Risks:

• Infection: There is a 1 percent chance of developing an infection in the surgical site or within the joint. 
• Anesthetic Complications: The anesthesia itself carries some risks, which can vary from allergic responses to more severe problems. This risk applies to every surgery requiring anesthesia.
• Blood Clots: Blood clots in the leg are a common complication after any surgery and can be very dangerous if the clot travels to the lungs, resulting in a condition called pulmonary embolism.
• Nerve or Blood Vessel Damage: The instruments used during the surgery can accidentally hurt nearby nerves or blood vessels.
• Stiffness: Some patients complain of a lot of stiffness in the shoulder.
• Incomplete Treatment: In some cases, the surgery might not resolve the condition completely.

Patients should talk to their orthopedic surgeons about the advantages and disadvantages of shoulder arthroscopy. Patients aware of these can make well-informed decisions about their care and set reasonable expectations for the results of the surgery.

Conclusion

Shoulder arthroscopy is a minimally invasive orthopedic surgery that can minimize pain, expedite recovery, and reduce patient scarring. It is incredible how far shoulder pain treatment has come in the past few years. Patients now have many surgical options that are precise and effective at treating various shoulder conditions. The procedure is most certainly a miracle in the field of orthopedic surgery. However, there are risks to any surgical procedure, and patients should consult with an orthopedic surgeon to discuss the benefits and risks of the surgical treatment of their shoulder pain to make an informed decision on what is best for them and their shoulders.

FAQs

1. How long does a shoulder arthroscopy procedure take?

Typically, a shoulder arthroscopy procedure can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the complexity of the issue being addressed.

2.  How soon can I return to work after the procedure?

Return to work varies based on your job type. Sedentary jobs allow a return within a week, while physically demanding jobs require several weeks to months.

3. Will shoulder arthroscopy eliminate all my pain?

While many patients experience significant relief, it’s important to note that the outcome varies. Some may still experience mild pain or discomfort, depending on the underlying condition.

4. How soon can I resume sports or rigorous activities?

It varies based on the procedure and individual recovery. Some patients may return to light activities in a few weeks, but full-contact sports or strenuous activities might require several months.

5. Can I drive after the surgery?

It’s advised to wait until you’re off pain medications and can move your arm freely, which may take a few days to weeks.